Gazing into the NC courtyard, it’s hard not to notice the progress that has been made in constructing the cafeteria since the school year began. As construction continues to progress towards its foreseeable end, though, administrators remain hesitant to pinpoint an exact date the cafeteria and Reber Center will be open to the student body.

“The things that we can control seem to be going well,” Associate Principal Kevin Brown said. “We’re always concerned about the things we can’t control though, so that’s why it’s hard to pin down a single date when construction will be completed.”

Despite unforeseeable problems encountered during construction, like the discovery of several structural columns underneath the original wing of the building that were not included in blueprints, the project remains on the original schedule contractors and administrators settled on before construction began, Superintendent Dr. Timothy Kilrea said.
According to the original contract, the major completion date of the project falls on March 25, but Kilrea and Brown emphasize that problems that might surface towards the end of construction make that date likely to change.

“It’s our hope that students could be using these facilities after spring break,” Kilrea said. “But even when major substantial completion is done, small issues with things like the electrical system might arise and we need these unforeseen matters rectified before we occupy the space.”

The original timeline established by contractors included extra time for unforeseeable setbacks, and administrators have been meeting with the contractors at least once a week  to stay up-to-date on the project’s progress and any issues that have arisen, Brown said.

“What I’m most satisfied with is the way our students and staff have handled the construction project,” Kilrea said. “I feel that as a whole, everyone has been outstanding. My appreciation goes to the students and staff because everyone has just been phenomenal.”

The major components that have yet to be completed in the cafeteria include the pouring, leveling, polishing and sealing of the terrazzo floor, the completion of the roofing of the windowed area of the cafeteria protruding into the courtyard and the delivery and installation of the freezer and the cooler.  The roofing could be installed, but some of the siding for that part of the building remains on backorder, Brown said.

Overall, administrators are pleased with the progress of construction and they look forward to students being able to take advantage of the improvements each facility has gained.
“If I were to compare this cafeteria to a car, it’d be a Cadillac,” Brown said. “I fully expect that it’s going to be a place that students want to be.”